The Scarlet macaw skull and beak found in Rooms 10 and 10A may represent an avian sacrifice in conjunction with a status burial. The presence of Scarlet macaw remains at the Gila Cliff Dwellings might indicate that there was a Sun Priest who presided over the Equinox ceremonies or special prayer sessions. A Moiety Chief might have been present at these Dwellings who honored the supreme Sun Father with a macaw sacrifice. Eighteen Scarlet macaw feathers were found at the Gila Cliff Dwellings, including several individual macaw feather pendants or pahos on light-colored cotton cords.¹³³

The Mayan Chac, or Toltec Tlaloc, was the Patron of rain and thunder. The bird sacrifice proper to Chac/Tlaloc, was the head of the small Indian domestic turkey. The small Indian domestic turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris [tularosa]) was imported into the Mogollon area around 300 BC. Other significant cultural traits from the south included bird sacrifice, accompanying ritual plants, and celestial forecasting with its associated agenda.  It is interesting that the small Indian domestic turkey and corn were both totally dependant upon human interaction for survival. Small Indian domestic turkey mummies were found at Tularosa Cave from the pre-ceramic era.¹³⁴

The small Indian domestic turkey was an important trade item for Gran Quivira, whose earliest ceramics reveal Jornada Mogollon brown wares.¹³⁵ Gran Quivira also showed some Anasazi influences; then about 700 AD, large populations from the south entered the area.